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Idaho State Journal | 2015 football preview
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I definitely believe
all four of them could play at the D-1 level
Kirby measures in at 6 foot 3, 305 pounds. He was courted by a handful of Division I programs before settling on BYU. He was a first-team all-Idaho selection as a junior and ran a 4.9-second 40-yard dash this summer. And he’s just a quarter of the formidable foursome. Sophomore Tommy Togiai was a dependable contributor as a freshman and is already 6-3, 290. He’s been contacted by coaches from Oregon, Washington, Utah State and BYU. He bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times at Highland’s combine and was clocked at 4.8 in his 40. “That’s NFL numbers,” said Highland defensive line coach George Yarno. Hunter Eborn is a senior linebacker/defensive end hybrid who hasn’t started many games for Highland but is drawing interest from schools throughout the region. He and Kirby were both positional MVPs at an all-Polynesian camp in Utah, and Eborn recently received his first Division I offer from the University of San Diego. He plans to take official visits to Boise State and Utah. Aisa Kelemete is tall and lean, a 6-4, 220-pound end who comes off the edge from a four-point stance. The junior has been in contact with the Idaho Vandals even though he hasn’t started a game for Highland. “I definitely believe all four of them could play at the D-1 level,” Yarno said. Kirby is the unquestioned leader of the group. He’s first at everything. “You want to go first, Wayne?” his cohorts chime, as if they have to give him permission.
Kirby is a gentle giant off the field. A mellow Samoan with a bright smile, should you ever see it. His opponents don’t. “Wayne just shows up, kicks people’s (butts) and that’s it,” Yarno said. “That’s kinda how it goes. He doesn’t say a whole a lot.” Eborn is more vocal. He’s outgoing and talkative and always welcomes competitive banter. “He won’t let you win,” Togiai said. Kelemete is the cool one. He carries himself with a natural swagger and self-confidence that translate to the field. Togiai is quiet and cerebral. The youngest of the group, he’s also the strongest and may have the brightest football future. On his current trajectory, he’s Idaho’s next big-time recruit. Their personalities blend into a four-headed medusa that suffocates offenses into one-dimensional desperation. “We’ve always had a hard time running the ball,” said Madison coach Mitch Buck. “We plan on throwing the ball when we play those guys because of that.” The all-Polynesian front considers itself a small family. They walk on and off the field together, crack jokes and have competitions within the group. Kelemete, Kirby and Togiai carpooled in Kelemete’s cramped 1995 Toyota Camry for a photoshoot. The Polynesian culture is a blueprint for how the four interact. “Family’s the most important thing,” Kelemete said. “Family and God and football.” The closer they get, the more success will pile up, not just for the defense, but for the rest of the Highland
Highland defensive . line coach George Yarno
Rams. The offense has to play against them regularly. “I think we won’t have a better look than them,” said senior center Tyson Van Sickle. “If we go against these guys all the time, we’ll be great.” Great is vague. The members of Highland’s D-line plan to be the best. A ruthless slew of island muscle no one can forget. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the state that is going to be able to block all four of us,” Eborn said. “I’m just being honest.” Kirby one-upped him. “I know we could be the best at least in Highland,” he said. “But I think we could be the best D-line the state’s ever had.” ***
You wake up, drenched in your own sweat. The ground is hard and cold, but the nightmare’s over. You scrape yourself off the turf. Vision’s still fuzzy. You make out your team, the refs, the bleachers. Then the eyes. Locked in and savage. The whistle blows.
The nightmare’s just beginning.